KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy scholars learning about physical therapy during Teddy Goes to Cooper.
More than 125 kindergartners from the KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy visited Cooper University Health Care on April 11, 2018, to take part in the annual “Teddy Goes to Cooper” event. The Teddy Goes to Cooper program was developed to help alleviate young children’s fears of visiting the hospital or the doctor while teaching them healthy habits. Each child received a teddy bear and rotated through different stations where Cooper physicians and other health care professionals diagnosed and treated the bear’s ailments using real tools and equipment. The students also learned about healthy eating, bicycle and playground safety, and toured an ambulance as part of the program.
The annual event is a joint effort among Cooper University Health Care’s Community Outreach Program, Emergency Medical Services, and The Cooper Foundation.
Steven Torres, Clinical Director of the Emergency Department at Cooper, reviews X-rays and helps young scholars bandage and split their teddy bears.
Cooper Co-President Kevin M. O’Dowd, Esq. offers a helping hand with teddy bear check-ups.
Maureen Donnelly RN, MSN, NPC, Coordinator for Safe Kids Southern NJ at Cooper, helps young scholars build a healthy, nutritious snack to start their day.